suppliant along a right path. Those supplications, presented in the Name of Jesus, were now to receive a blessed answer. Sophia's birthday was to be kept in the family with a holy joy exceeding any previous anniversary. The Sabbath morning dawned whilst Sophia's heart was depressed because of her sinfulness, though striving to hope in God's mercy. Wednesday, the Wednesday of the very week ushered in by that Sabbath, was the eighth anniversary of Sophia's entrance into the world. That Sabbath, however, was not allowed to close until, as we have narrated, the dear child had entered into the rest which Jesus has on earth provided for all penitent believers.

We gain a more distinct view of that week as spent by Sophia, and also a glimpse of sisterly affection, by reading a brief record made at the time by her sister, then in her twelfth year.

"January 2, 1852. Sunday.-This day has been. one of unspeakable pleasure. Except at the time of my own conversion I never experienced such joy as I did this day when my dear sister came running into the room shouting, 'I am so happy. My sins are forgiven. I am sure they are.' Lord help me to lead her inexperienced feet in the way to Zion; and do thou, Lord, grant that we may be helpful to each other. I do rejoice that the event, so long prayed for has arrived."

"January 5, 1852.-Sophia's birthday. We had Miss Warner at our home, and have been trying to win her to Christ. May the Lord bless our efforts, and help us to set an example worthy of imitation."

The eighth birthday was thus spent in the enjoyment of God's smile, and in an endeavour to lead a

youthful associate to the gracious Saviour. Sophia and her sister were but babes in Christ. They were exceedingly inexperienced and needed much instruction, and comfort, and support. But they had placed themselves at the feet of him who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Those were happy days which were subsequently spent in Eastington. Yet we have no desire to convey the impression that Sophia's experience was like a path marked by perpetual sunshine. Her temperament was both impulsive and sensitive. Hence she had frequent seasons of depression and conflict. She succeeded in retaining a sense of the Divine favour, but this was effected by much prayer and earnest faith. Sophia had also need of much watchfulness to prevent herself being led astray by hasty feeling. In this warfare she found great advantage from having being led so early to perceive the value of secret prayer, and to form the habit. Instead of parleying with the foe, or yielding to his power, Sophia, whilst thus a child, was accustomed to hasten to the mercy seat. She would retire to her own little room, and there, on bended knee would plead for strength to have victory. Nor did she plead in vain. Most likely before long the assault was renewed, but the youthful conscript was gaining vigour and skill for the fight.

Whilst very young, and before the removal of the family from Eastington, Sophia had followed the example of her sister, and had commenced a record of her religious life. A short extract therefrom may give some insight into that life when a little more than ten years old.

"Sunday, April 29, 1855.-I feel that my heavenly Father is very merciful to me, and very kind; and I also feel that I am worthy of the least of his mercies. I want to love him more than I do. I wish to be more like him than I am. I feel that I grow in grace very slowly. I want to become more like my Living Head in all things. Lord, help me so to do. I desire to set my companions at school a good example. I want to know more of the love of Christ, and to show it to others. May God enable me to live to his glory. Amen."

The winter of 1855-56 was spent at Whiston, a village beautifully situated in the neighbourhood of Rotherham. Sophia was invited to spend some time with her maternal grandmother who lived at Whiston. The child felt the separation from her father's home to be a severe trial, but cheerfully acquiesced in what was thought by him to be the best arrangement. When she arrived at Whiston, Sophia set herself to walk closely with her God under the new circumstances in which she was placed. A few lines in a letter sent at this time to her father will show how she was getting on. "I feel that I have been trusting too much to my own strength. I have been sometimes ready to forget that the eye of God is ever upon me. I have, however, experienced much pleasure in reading the Book of God, and in prayer." The child was at the feet of Jesus as a disciple. She had much to learn, but she was willing to be taught by the Blessed Master.

CHAPTER III.

GRANDMAMMA'S GIRLHOOD.

"Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than he went through before;

He that into God's kingdom comes,
Must enter by his door.

Come, Lord, when grace has made me meet

Thy blessed face to see ;

For if thy work on earth be sweet,

What will thy glory be?

My knowledge of that life is small,

The eye of faith is dim;

But 'tis enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with him."

DURING the months spent by Sophia at Whiston she became very familiar with the narrative of her grandmamma's girlhood. It was the winter season, and, therefore, there were long evenings during which the child could not ramble over the hills, through the fields, and along the lanes of that beautiful neighbourhood. Besides there was so much in the story of grandmother's early days that Sophia loved to hear that the child would have been content to remain in doors to listen thereto, even when all nature invited her to go abroad. Sophia greatly delighted to wander in the open air, and gather the flowers, and listen to the singing of birds and the music of the running

stream, and hold sweet communings with herself, or join in cheerful converse with any companion she was allowed to associate with. But amid all the pleasant occupations in which she engaged during that visit, perhaps listening to the statements of grandma respecting the days when she was a girl was the most pleasant of all. When her aged friend was quite at leisure, and Sophia was allowed to bring her stool and place it near to grandma's chair, and some further circumstances were made known, or explanations and details given, or that which had been thrice told was told again, the child was happy beyond measure. Doubtless the gracious Master was employing the lips of the aged disciple to convey heavenly wisdom to the mind and heart of the youthful one.

The venerable lady was listened to by Sophia as we may suppose one of the latest survivors of "The Pilgrim Fathers" would be listened to by his grandchildren when telling what he remembered concerning the voyage of the "May-Flower," the sore persecutions which preceded that voyage, or the terrible hardships and gracious deliverances experienced afterwards at and near Plymouth Rock. Who has not heard of brave doings, and fearless daring, and heroic endurance, until he has felt that, in some sphere or other of worthy kind, he also must do exploits? So did Sophia Denham listen to grandma's story.

We cannot hope that strangers will read a sketch of that girlhood with similar interest to that felt by Sophia when listening thereto. Many of the details which imparted a special charm to the narrative have been lost. Besides the reader cannot be placed in the position once occupied by the auditor. The reader is